He or she is fun, playful, and mischievous, and hopefully you and your pup will enjoy many years to come together, which you can do if you take a few simple steps early in your life together.
Few people realize the importance of starting a puppy on the right food, for better health and fewer complications in the dog’s later life, yet it’s so easy with just six main considerations.

First consideration: solid foods too soon.

If your new puppy has only had milk from the mother, then you should make a transition change using a special puppy formula. These formulas are available at specialty pet food stores and also online.
The switch from formula to solid food should be done gradually, introducing the puppy to the new food in small increments over a couple of weeks, until the formula is completely replaced with solid food.

2nd Consideration: Feed what has been fed.

It may be that your pup has already started on solid food and if that is the case continue to feed him in the same style and preferably the same brand of food. If you want to change the brand or type of food, she makes the change to several foods and small amounts at a time.

If it doesn’t change slowly, your pup is likely to have an upset stomach, which could easily cause vomiting, diarrhea, or both. This will be very upsetting to the puppy and could make him wary of the food bowl if he thinks he has undesirable results after eating.

Third consideration: Feed the “adults” food right away, or too soon.

As they grow, puppies need a different formula in their food composition, which in most cases will be their first year. Yes, 12 months, and even longer for larger breeds, that period of time will be around 18 months or so. A general rule of thumb for defining a “large breed” is if the dog’s adult weight will fall in the range of 50 lb (23 kg) or more.

Some foods will speed up the “body building system” too quickly, causing the real danger of major joint and skeletal problems in adulthood, and that’s a common factor for dogs of all sizes.

Buy food that says it is suitable for puppies and look for the notation if it is NOT suitable for large breeds, if that is the size category for your puppy. Many puppy food manufacturers will specify whether or not they are suitable for large breeds on the label or on their website. If in doubt call the manufacturer’s customer service department or even choose another product.

The quality of the ingredients is vital in this period of “formation” of the puppies. You need to make sure they get the right balance of foods and vitamins to meet their nutritional needs.

Puppies should be fed 3 or 4 times a day for the first six months, if possible. Then the amount of food can be divided into one less meal, and then a few months later it can be reduced to two meals per day. Many people will then cut back to once daily feeding, although as it is best in later years in a dog’s life to feed twice daily, perhaps this would be a lifelong preference.

Fourth Consideration: “Proof” Food and Treats.

Many new owners are tempted to give a puppy a piece of food to see if it likes it, or the food is given as a “special treat.” This is very bad because the puppies will chew on everything and anything. A grape or a piece of chocolate, in addition to many other “human” foods, can have a dramatically bad effect on puppies (and adult dogs), some of which are fatal.
Puppy food is the only food that should be given to your puppy.

Fifth consideration: Variety is the spice of life.

Let your pup enjoy different styles of food such as dry, canned, raw, etc. and two things will happen, you won’t be a picky eater and every meal will be an adventure for your pup! Certainly, there is nothing better than a twinkle in the eye and a flick of the tail to improve feeding time for the owner!

Switching food brands and styles has the added benefit of preventing any vitamin or mineral “stacking” that can occur if only the same brand and style are a consistent food source.

There is no better time to encourage acceptance of all feeding styles than during the puppy life stage. However, he remembers that when you change the food do it in small steps, and that way you should get acceptance and not rejection.

Consideration 6: Do not impose your lifestyle food preferences.

His diet may be protein or carbohydrate enriched or he may be vegetarian, but these feeding regimens should not be forced on your pup. Any such preferences you may have should only be introduced when the dog has reached adulthood, and only after consultation with your veterinarian or preferably a canine nutritionist.

As stated earlier, this puppy period is very important in joint and skeletal development, as well as long-term health, so the best puppy food is one that provides all the essential elements needed.

Puppies are a delight and will bring endless hours of fun and excitement to you, your family and those around you.

Your starting point is just six simple considerations when it comes to puppy food.